This volume discusses the new approaches regarding the criteria of authenticity and their relevance in the quest for the historical Jesus studies.

For two centuries scholars have sought to discover the historical Jesus. Presently such scholarship is dominated not by the question 'Who was Jesus?' but rather 'How do we even go about answering the question, "Who was Jesus?"?' With this current situation in mind, Jonathan Bernier undertakes a two-fold task: one, to engage on the level of the philosophy of history with existing approaches to the study of the historical Jesus, most notably the criteria approach and the social memory approach; two, to work with the critical realism developed by Bernard Lonergan, introduced into New Testament studies by Ben F. Meyer, and advocated by N.T. Wright in order to develop a philosophy of history that can elucidate current debates within historical Jesus studies.

A comprehensive, two-volume reassessment of the quests for the historical Jesus that details their origins and underlying presuppositions as well as their ongoing influence on today's biblical and theological scholarship. Jesus' life and teaching is important to every question we ask about what we believe and why we believe it. And yet there has never been common agreement about his identity, intentions, or teachings—even among first-century historians and scholars. Throughout history, different religious and philosophical traditions have attempted to claim Jesus and paint him in the cultural narratives of their heritage, creating a labyrinth of conflicting ideas. From the evolution of orthodoxy and quests before Albert Schweitzer's famous "Old Quest," to today's ongoing questions about criteria, methods, and sources, A History of the Quests for the Historical Jesus not only chronicles the developments but lays the groundwork for the way forward. The late Colin Brown brings his scholarly prowess in both theology and biblical studies to bear on the subject, assessing not only the historical and exegetical nuts and bolts of the debate about Jesus of Nazareth but also its philosophical, sociological, and theological underpinnings. Instead of seeking a bedrock of "facts," Brown stresses the role of hermeneutics in formulating questions and seeking answers. Colin Brown was almost finished with the manuscript at the time of his passing in 2019. Brought to its final form by Craig A. Evans, this book promises to become the definitive history and assessment of the quests for the historical Jesus. Volume One covers the period from the beginnings of Christianity to the end of World War II. Volume Two (sold separately) covers the period from the post-War era through contemporary debates.

Jesus’ teachings have affected the lives of billions. What do both modern and ancient authorities say about Jesus Christ’s existence? What is the solid basis that scholars have for believing that Jesus existed? What references have first- and second-century historians made to Jesus and the early Christians? In 2006, the book Jesus and Archaeology said: “No reputable scholar today questions that a Jew named Jesus son of Joseph lived; most readily admit that we now know a considerable amount about his actions and his basic teachings.” What is the historical evidence that Jesus Christ lived and died? What is the proof of the resurrection of Jesus? Herein we will not shy away from the Bible critic’s claim as we investigate the historical authenticity of Jesus Christ and the claim that he was raised from the dead.

The Quest of the Historical Jesus is a review of all prior work on the question of the "historical Jesus" starting with the late 18th century. The author points out how Jesus' image has changed with the times and with the personal proclivities of the various authors. He concludes with his own synopsis and interpretation of what had been learned over the course of the previous century. The author takes the position that the life and thinking of Jesus must be interpreted in the light of Jesus' own convictions, which he characterizes as those of "late Jewish eschatology", and that Jesus defies any attempt at understanding him by making parallels to the ways of thinking or feeling of modern men. In Schweitzer's view, Jesus genuinely believed that his ministry would bring about the end of history and did not see any prolonged period elapsing between his time on earth and God's final judgment. Contents: The Problem Hermann Samuel Reimarus The Lives Of Jesus Of The Earlier Rationalism The Earliest Fictitious Lives Of Jesus Fully Developed Rationalism—Paulus The Last Phase Of Rationalism—Hase And Schleiermacher David Friedrich Strauss—The Man And His Fate Strauss's First "Life Of Jesus" Strauss's Opponents And Supporters The Marcan Hypothesis Bruno Bauer. The First Sceptical Life Of Jesus Further Imaginative Lives Of Jesus Renan The "Liberal" Lives Of Jesus The Eschatological Question The Struggle Against Eschatology Questions Regarding The Aramaic Language, Rabbinic Parallels, And Buddhistic Influence The Position Of The Subject At The Close Of The Nineteenth Century Thoroughgoing Scepticism And Thoroughgoing Eschatology Results

An informed, scholarly approach to the study of the historical Jesus that takes the Gospels seriously as a source of historical information.